By Sharna Johnson: CNJ staff writer July and August saw a rise in sexual assault examinations performed in Curry County, but officials say they don’t match the number of reported criminal cases. There were 13 exams performed by Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners in the two-month period — compared with 12 conducted in the first half […]

By Sharna Johnson: CNJ staff writer Homicide defendant Jimmy Bentley sat unflinching Thursday as the judge announced the guilty verdict. Behind the defense table, Bentley’s wife dropped her head in her hands, her shoulders wracked with sobs. Across the courtroom aisle, the sister of shooting victim Joseph Phillips gently rubbed her mother’s back, her face […]

Janet Taylor-Birkey A young Airman decides to have a few drinks after a long work week. The Airman loosens up with a few friends and acquaintances, and before the night is over, something has been compromised – their personal space. They are now the victim of a sexual assault. What should have been a night […]

CNJ staff Next week’s first-degree murder trial for a Clovis man will be delayed almost six months, according to the 9th Judicial District Attorney’s office. Robert Macias was scheduled for a three-day trial starting Wednesday, but additional days were needed to accommodate more witness testimony than originally planned. The next available date that could be […]

Freedom Newspapers A Portales jury late Tuesday convicted a 36-year-old Portales man of eight counts of criminal sex crimes involving a child under the age of 13, according to 9th Judicial District Attorney Matt Chandler. Darrell Casillas, 36, of Portales was convicted of two counts of first-degree criminal sexual penetration and six counts of second-degree […]

CNJ staff photo: Andy DeLisleWilliam Riley talks with his attorney, Luis Juarez (right), during his sentencing hearing Tuesday at the Curry County Courthouse. By Sharna Johnson: CNJ Staff Writer A 33-year-old Clovis man convicted by a jury of first-degree murder last month apologized to the victim’s family Tuesday during his sentencing hearing. After hearing arguments […]

By Sharna Johnson: CNJ Staff Writer A 44-year-old Clovis man was arrested Saturday and faces felony charges after he allegedly chained and beat his daughter for several hours, according to court records. Bryan Storseth is charged with two counts of aggravated assault on a household member, kidnapping and child abuse. His 15-year-old daughter told police […]

CNJ staff An adult male was shot in the leg shortly before 1 p.m. Tuesday in the vicinity of Grand and Maple streets, according to 9th Judicial District Attorney Matt Chandler. Authorities have declined to identify the victim, citing an ongoing investigation. Chandler said at 9 p.m. Tuesday, police were conducting multiple interviews and had […]

By Tonya Garner: CNJ staff writer • A deadlocked jury in the case of a Clovis man accused of a string of armed robberies in 2003 resulted in a mistrial earlier this month. A jury was unable to reach a verdict on 23 counts against Sammy Guerrrero for a string of robberies he is accused […]

• Chris Aultman, friend of the victim, acquaintance of the defendant and driver of the car where Roshawn Pitts was shot, testified Monday about the moments before, during and after the shooting. He described Riley running out of his apartment with a gun and shooting through the windows of Aultman’s car. Aultman said he fled […]

By Andy Jackson: CNJ staff writer A Clovis man was arrested early Friday morning for holding his 19-year-old girlfriend captive and assaulting her and a dog, according to Clovis Police Lt. James Schoeffel. The arrest followed a three-hour-long hostage negotiation at victim’s residence at 1113 Prince St. The standoff ended about 4 a.m. Police say […]

CNJ STAFF A 29-year-old Clovis man Friday to six years in prison for having a sexual relationship with a 13-year-old girl, according to a release from the 9th Judicial District Attorney’s Office. The victim told police about the two and a-half month relationship in 2005, and said she met Joe Garcia in 2005 at a […]

By Eric Butler: CNJ correspondent A 23-year-old Clovis man was sentenced Tuesday to 21 1/2 years in prison for his role in an argument over a cigarette lighter that turned deadly. As part of a plea bargain, Mark Madrid pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for shooting and killing Porfirio Gonzales, 52, of Clovis in March […]

By Sharna Johnson: CNJ staff writer Laura McNaughton was probably not a random homicide victim, Curry County’s undersheriff said on Tuesday. Doug Bowman said investigators are talking to “less than 10” people who may have knowledge about the 30-year-old Clovis woman’s slaying. Bowman said he believes McNaughton may have known her killer. Officials declined again […]

Freedom Newspapers Editor’s note: This story contains content about a sexual assault that some may find offensive. PORTALES — Portales police on Tuesday released incident reports pertaining to a sexual assault case that may have led to the distribution of fliers warning of a rapist around the campus of Eastern New Mexico University. According to the […]

Police: Possible suspect in attack Clovis Police said Tuesday they have a possible suspect in connection with Friday’s attack on a Clovis woman at her home on the 900 block of Connelly Street. Clovis Police Detective Tony Bosque said he is waiting until the victim positively identifies the suspect from a photo line-up before pursuing […]

Clyde Davis: Local Columnist This is the month of imagined horrors. Goblins, vampires, witches and ghosts occupy our yards, our TV screens, our neighborhoods and our school classrooms. Most of it is done in fun, and we like to scare ourselves. Ironically, October is also domestic violence month, which moves us from the realm of […]

Deputy Sheriff Dean Marney (far right) introduced the members of the forum’s council and read questions sent in to them by citizens concerning domestic violence related issues. Melanie Salazar Striving to put a stop to domestic violence and empower its victims, Cannon and local community members recently joined to create a forum to reach out […]

By Tony Parra: Freedom Newspapers PORTALES — Panelists from Clovis and Portales used a forum on Thursday evening to encourage victims of domestic violence to step forward. It took Debbie Vinson, a former victim of domestic violence, more than eight years to do it, but she did it. Professionals who deal with domestic violence victims […]